Body confirmed as belonging to missing Jessica Ridgeway

"With a great deal of sorrow in my heart, I regret to inform you that the body that was found in Arvada has been positively identified as Jessica Ridgeway, the girl missing from Westminster," Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said. "The family has been notified. We can't begin to comprehend the grief they are going through."

Jessica was abducted while walking to school a week ago.

"We want to stress that we recognize there is a predator at large in our community," Birk said. "I want the community to know that we are doing everything we can within our power to apprehend that individual."

Officials say the priority has changed from "the search for Jessica to a mission of justice for Jessica," and arresting her killer.

"We have eliminated the family. And we are looking for an abductor at this point," FBI spokesman Dave Joly said.

Officials offered condolences to Jessica's family and friends.

"This is not the closure we wanted," said Jessica's great uncle, Larry Moss, who lives in Independence, MO. "We were hanging onto every glimmer of hope. We were hoping that she would make it home safe."

He described himself as relieved to know what happened to Jessica. He and other family members are working to travel to Colorado for her funeral.

The focus now is finding the "sick monster who would do this to a child," Moss said.

"I would give my right leg to have him brought justice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is no price on it," Moss said.

Jessica's body was found Wednesday, but the identification of the body was delayed because it was not intact. DNA was used to identify her.

Workers picking up trash in Arvada found Jessica's remains.

Jessica disappeared a week ago today while walking to school. She never made it to school.

The FBI on Thursday released a psychological profile of the kidnapper and asked residents to be mindful of changes in behavior or appearance by those they know. The killer is likely to be a man with local ties.

"It could be your boss, it could be your friend, and ultimately it could be your family member," Joly said.

The FBI does not believe Jessica's grisly slaying is related to the recent abduction and rape of an 11-year-old girl in Cody, WY. That child was able to escape in part by kicking her abductor's face and bloodying his nose.

A Colorado girl went missing on Oct. 5. Her father, Jeremy Bryant, lives in Independence. He has traveled to Colorado to assist in the search for her. Independence family hopes for answers after AmberMore>>

Rain and thunder will track into northwest Alabama during the early morning hours Thursday with most of the rain breaking up through the day. We'll see partly sunny skies with rain chances around 20-percent throughout much of Thursday. Highs again will reach the lower 80s.

Rain and thunder will track into northwest Alabama during the early morning hours Thursday with most of the rain breaking up through the day. We'll see partly sunny skies with rain chances around 20-percent throughout much of Thursday. Highs again will reach the lower 80s.

Fairfield mayor Ed May II and Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) have discussed negotiations for the past several months after the bus service was canceled a little more than two years ago.

Fairfield mayor Ed May II and Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) have discussed negotiations for the past several months after the bus service was canceled a little more than two years ago.